Guide
Selling a house with a septic tank in Suffolk
The sale is the moment the drainage question gets asked. Here is how to answer it without holding things up.
What the buyer will want to know
- What type of system the property has: septic tank, treatment plant or cesspit.
- Where it discharges: to a drainage field in the ground, or to a ditch or watercourse.
- Its condition, and when it was last emptied and maintained.
If it discharges to a ditch
A septic tank discharging to a watercourse does not meet the general binding rules, and it must be dealt with as part of the sale. Buyer and seller agree who does the work and when.
How we help
- Survey the system and trace where it discharges.
- Give you a written report and a fixed quote for any work needed.
- Carry out the work before completion, or for the buyer afterwards, whichever is agreed.
Estate agents and conveyancing solicitors are welcome to refer clients to us directly.
Selling questions
Who pays to replace a septic tank when selling?
It is negotiated between buyer and seller. Some sellers do the work before completion, others agree a price reduction or a retention. A written survey and quote make that conversation easier.
Will a non-compliant septic tank stop my sale?
It can delay it. Buyers' solicitors and lenders increasingly ask about off-mains drainage, so knowing what you have early avoids last-minute problems.